Common Problems With Mobility Scooters

A mobility scooter can be essential for your independence, which makes it even more frightening when a fault occurs,. It’s important to recognise the early indicators of a problem so that you can get it replaced or fixed at your next convenience.

In this article, we explain some common problems with mobility scooters, and the best way to fix them.

If you are having trouble with your Mobility Scooter, or need repairs, give our team a call on 0121 371 0780 to book.

Battery

The most common component to suffer a fault is the battery. It’s natural for the battery to lose charge over time, so you should expect some mild issues as the years go by. These may include:

• The batteries no longer recognise the charger when it is connected
• Your mobility scooter doesn’t cover as much distance in a single charge as it used to
• Your mobility scooter stops at random intervals
• The battery is no longer able to hold a full charge
• The battery drops faster than usual

Natural degradation of a battery is normal. Constant charging and discharging will slowly wear down the battery. If you’ve noticed any of the above battery issues, your best course of action is to get the battery replaced.

Tyres

Mobility scooters typically come with one of two sets of tyres: pneumatic or solid. Pneumatic tyres are more likely to suffer an issue, but tyre problems can occur in both types. Look out for the following issues:

• The mobility scooter is bumpy
• The mobility scooter isn’t handling properly
• Braking performance is reduced

If you notice any of the above, you may have a puncture. It can be dangerous to drive with flat tyres, and so you should cease all driving and get your tyres replaced as soon as possible.

Motors

Motors can be damaged from driving over a pavement without a dropped kerb, or from dust and grit getting stuck in the components. If you notice the following problem, you may have a problem with your motor:

• The mobility scooter is bumpy when it rides

These bumpy periods are known as ‘flat spots’, and are caused by the motor temporarily dropping to a lower output. If you notice unexpected bumpiness or any other motor issues, get your motor replaced by a professional.

Potentiometer

Potentiometers are exposed to the elements and are therefore vulnerable to corrosion. A corroded potentiometer may cause the unit to fail and cause the following issue:

• The speed of the mobility scooter fluctuates for no reason

If you have noticed the above potentiometer issue, we recommend contacting a professional to replace your potentiometer.

Mobility Scooter Maintenance and Repairs

If you’ve noticed any mobility scooter problems, your best course of action is to take it to a professional for repairs or maintenance. Left unaddressed, the problem may get worse to the point that your mobility scooter is dangerous or unusable.

At Ideas in Action, our team has over 40 years’ professional experience carrying out mobility scooter repairs and maintenance throughout Birmingham. Simply call us to book your mobility scooter in with our team and we can diagnose and repair the issue.

We have a selection of spare parts if any components need to be replaced, and we even offer periodic maintenance to ensure your scooter remains in good shape.

Contact our team today to find out more.